What can I give someone with breast cancer?

Quick answer

Practical, comfortable gifts and your time usually mean the most: soft front-fastening clothing, a small cushion for the car seatbelt after surgery, unscented lip balm, a water bottle, something to pass the time, meals, or lifts to appointments. Ask before buying anything for the skin or scented, as treatment can change how skin reacts and how smells feel. You can also donate in their honour to Breast Cancer Charity.

Comfortable gifts

  • Soft, front-fastening or button-up clothing and pyjamas, which are easier after surgery.
  • A small cushion to put between the chest and a car seatbelt on the journey home after surgery.
  • Warm socks, a soft blanket or a hat or headscarf if they lose their hair.
  • Unscented lip balm and hand cream. Check with them first, as their care team may recommend specific products, especially during radiotherapy.
  • A large water bottle, a notebook for questions and appointments, and a phone charger with a long cable for hospital visits.

Practical help that makes a difference

  • Cooked meals or food delivery vouchers. Ask about food they can manage, as treatment can change taste and appetite.
  • Lifts to appointments, or money towards hospital parking.
  • Help with childcare, pets, shopping, cleaning or gardening.
  • Something to pass the time: books, audiobooks, puzzles, a streaming subscription or a playlist.

Things to check first

  • Some hospital wards do not allow flowers, so check before you bring them.
  • Strong scents can be hard to cope with during treatment that causes sickness.
  • Avoid giving supplements, special diets or alternative remedies unless their care team agrees.
  • Ask what they would like rather than guessing. A message saying you are thinking of them is a gift too.

Gifts that give back

You can donate in their honour. Add a dedication on our donate page and choose "in honour of"; approved tributes can appear on our Dedication Wall. Every £25 can fund one breast screening for a woman who has never been examined.

Sources

Related pages

More on this topic

What should I put in a care package for someone with breast cancer?
Comfortable clothing, unscented lip balm, a water bottle, a notebook, snacks they enjoy, and something to pass the time. Check with them before including skincare or scented products.
What is a good gift for someone who has just had breast surgery?
Soft front-fastening tops or pyjamas, a small seatbelt cushion for the drive home, and practical help such as meals or lifts while they recover.
What should I not give someone with breast cancer?
Avoid strongly scented gifts, supplements or alternative remedies unless their care team agrees, and check before bringing flowers to hospital.